India delivered a commanding all-round performance to defeat South Africa by 30 runs in the fifth and final T20I in Ahmedabad, sealing the five-match series 3-1. After being put in to bat, India posted a massive 231 for 5, before their bowlers, led by Varun Chakravarthy, ensured the visitors fell short in the chase.

The result marked a strong turnaround for the hosts after earlier setbacks, as India wrapped up the series in front of a packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

India post 231 after strong middle-order surge

Batting first, India rode on crucial knocks from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya to build a formidable total. Tilak top-scored with 73 off 42 balls, anchoring the innings during the middle overs, while Hardik played an explosive knock of 63 from just 25 deliveries.

India were placed at 115 for 3 before the duo stitched together a decisive fourth-wicket partnership of 105 runs off only 44 balls. Hardik’s innings stood out as he reached his half-century in just 16 balls, making it the second-fastest fifty by an Indian batter in T20Is, behind Yuvraj Singh.

Varun Chakravarthy leads bowling effort in chase

Chasing 232, South Africa began positively but lost momentum as wickets fell at regular intervals. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy emerged as the standout performer with the ball, finishing with a four-wicket haul that dismantled the middle order.

India’s bowlers maintained pressure through the middle and death overs, with Hardik Pandya also contributing by picking up a wicket from his three overs. Despite resistance from the South African batting lineup, the visitors were restricted to 201 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target.

Series wrapped up in Ahmedabad

With this win, India clinched the T20I series 3-1. The hosts had earlier posted dominant performances across the format, and the final match underlined their depth in both batting and bowling.

India are now set to move on to their next international assignment at home, while South Africa conclude their tour with this defeat in the shortest format.

India rode on explosive half-centuries from Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya to post a commanding 231 for 5 against South Africa in the fifth and final T20I at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

After being asked to bat first, India lost Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson in quick succession, but the middle order ensured there was no slowdown. Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya stitched together a crucial partnership that completely shifted the momentum in India’s favour and took the hosts beyond the 200-run mark with ease.

Tilak Varma anchors as wickets fall

India got off to a brisk start through Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson. Abhishek scored 34 off 21 balls before edging a short delivery, while Samson added 37 off 22, mixing timing with power. Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles continued as he was dismissed for 5, leaving India three down inside 12 overs.

Tilak Varma, however, showed composure amid the wickets. The left-hander reached his fifty off 30 balls, rotating strike efficiently and finding boundaries at regular intervals to keep the innings on track.

Hardik Pandya’s 16-ball fifty turns the tide

The highlight of the innings was Hardik Pandya’s brutal assault on the South African bowling attack. The all-rounder brought up his half-century in just 16 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20 internationals. His knock featured four fours and five sixes, with one over yielding 27 runs as India surged ahead rapidly.

Hardik eventually fell for 63 off 25 balls after adding a 105-run stand with Tilak Varma for the fourth wicket, a partnership that laid the foundation for India’s imposing total.

India finish strong at 231/5

Despite some disciplined bowling spells, including a tidy final over from Lungi Ngidi, South Africa struggled to contain the flow of runs in the death overs. India crossed 200 in the 18th over and finished at 231/5 from their 20 overs.

Earlier, South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and chose to bowl. Sanju Samson returned to the playing XI after Shubman Gill was ruled out with a niggle, as confirmed by skipper Suryakumar Yadav at the toss. India entered the match leading the five-match series 2-1, with the fourth T20I having been abandoned due to bad weather.

India made a steady start in the fifth and final T20I against South Africa at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, riding on useful contributions from the top order after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson, brought into the Playing XI in place of the injured Shubman Gill, scored a brisk 37 off 22 balls before being dismissed, while Abhishek Sharma added 34 off 21 deliveries.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram won the toss and opted to bowl on a surface that looked good for batting. India, who lead the five-match series 2-1 after the fourth game in Lucknow was abandoned due to bad weather, aimed to seal the series with a strong batting effort.

Samson, opening the innings, looked fluent after a nervy start and struck several clean shots, including a six off Marco Jansen. During his knock, he also completed 1,000 runs in T20I cricket, reaching the milestone in 679 balls, placing him joint third among Indian batters to do so in the fewest deliveries.

Abhishek Sharma provided early momentum before edging a short delivery from Corbin Bosch to the wicketkeeper. Samson’s innings ended when George Linde produced a sharply turning delivery that rattled the middle stump, reducing India to two wickets down.

At the other end, Tilak Varma continued to hold the innings together, rotating the strike and finding boundaries at regular intervals. India crossed the 100-run mark inside 10 overs, keeping themselves on course for a competitive total.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav, who walked in after Samson’s dismissal, looked to rebuild alongside Tilak. However, his lean patch with the bat continued as India looked to maintain the scoring rate through the middle overs.

Gill was ruled out of the contest after picking up a niggle in the previous match, a development confirmed by Suryakumar at the toss. The Indian captain said the team was keen to put runs on the board on a pitch expected to remain consistent through the evening.